PUSTULAR ERUPTION OF CHILDREN. 17J 



afterwards, the eruption re-appeared on the forearms in the form of 

 the characteristic small circumscribed patches of body-ringworm. 

 The local remedy, which I found most rapid in its efiect as a para- 

 siticide in the treatment of this case, was the tincture of iodine of 

 which two applications completely removed the disease from the 

 fore-arras. The lotion of the hyposulphite of soda and the mercurial 

 ointment had apparently but little influence on the disease. The 

 sulphur ointment, however, had a gradual curative action. To 

 many of the vessels which leave Queensland and Fiji to recruit 

 labour in the Solomon and New Hebrides groups, sulphur ointment 

 is supplied ; and tlie government-agents are instructed to use it in 

 all cases of this disease amongst the natives recruited. I learned 

 from some of these gentlemen that, wdien the remedy is applied 

 thoroughly, and under superintendence, they usually succeed in 

 thoroughly cleansing the skin from the eruption before the ships 

 return to the colonies. 



A pustular eruptive disease peculiar to children, which has been 

 referred to by various authors as prevalent in the New Hebrides, 

 Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa groups, affects many of the young children 

 of the Solomon Islands, usually occurring about the age of five. A 

 number of large papules, twice the size of a split pea, which sub- 

 sequently become filled with a pustular fluid, appear on the face. 

 These pustules by rupturing tend to unite and form unhealthy- 

 looking sores of the size of a florin. The disease pursues a regular 

 course of papule, pustule, and sore ; and is said never to recur. 

 As far as I could learn, the natives interfere but little with its 

 progress ; and, as in Fiji where it is known as coko^ they regard 

 the disease as having a salutary influence on the future health of 

 the child. 



That peculiar spinal disease, v/hich produces so m.any hunch- 

 backs in the Society and Samoan groups, and which is so well 

 described by Mr. Ellis in his " Polynesian Researches " (2nd edit, 

 1831, vol. iii. pp. 89, 40), does not prevail among the Solomon Island- 

 ers. I can only recall one instance of spinal deformity which came 

 under my observation. It was in the person of a little boy about 

 ten or eleven years old, who was the subject of lateral and posterior 

 curvature of the spine. The little fellow, who was a native of 

 Simbo, apparently experienced no inconvenience from the deformity, 

 since a firm ankylosis had occurred. He was able to accompany me 

 1 " Fiji and the Fijians," by Messrs T. Williams and J. Calvert. 3rd edit. 1870, p. 151. 



